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One of the most striking natural creations that our eyes can admire for its diversity in shape and very striking colors are flowers, its symbolism is present in all cultures and its aroma captivated for hundreds of years to perfume creators, but have wondered at some point Why do flowers have color? This is the theme we will discover today, come with me.
What is a flower?
The vegetable world has innumerable species, some very different from others, especially in their way of growth and reproduction.
The flower is part of the reproductive structure of plants called spermatophytes or phanerogams, whose main function is the production of seeds through sexual reproduction so that a certain vegetable species can continue to develop.
Also the flowers are divided into 2 groups living gymnosperms and angiosperms. Being the last one the one that has more varieties in the planet, it is estimated that there are 250.000 species in the group of the angiosperms.
Symbology
For the great variety of species of flowers, their colors, shapes and aromas. They have been used since ancient times in different symbols in many cultures.
In Japan, for example, flowers have been given different motifs and meanings. Let's see:
Morning glory flower: The Japanese with it indicate that life and youth last little, but that even in death there is beauty.
Take advantage of life and beauty, because they are ephemeral, is the message that is sent with these violet and blue flowers.
Chrysanthemums: they are considered as a symbol of longevity, they are given on birthdays wishing long life to the person who receives them.
It also represents the imperial family and is used to decorate festivities.
The green shoots of bamboo, called Take, symbolize longevity and wisdom, and accompanied by a tall, straight stem refer to the path of spiritual enlightenment.
Sunflowers are Japanese flowers whose meaning is passion and good energy for life and the pleasures we find in it.
We have seen at least one sample of a culture that uses flowers to send messages, but the question remains.
Why do flowers have color?
Flowers like humans have inherited their shapes and colors from their genes, it is a true story of survival. Pigments and PH all plants owe their colors to specialized pigments so if the mother plant is a certain color, your children will probably inherit the same color.
The chlorophyll is the pigment that gives that characteristic green to the plants, that means that in the flowers there are other pigments involved at least 2:
Xanthophylls: pigments that give flowers a gamma of colors from pale yellow to garnet red or brown.
Anthocyanins: pigments whose colours range from blue to mauve, purple and lilac.
PH is another of those responsible for the colour in flowers. Depending on the PH of the substrate, the flowers of a plant can be of one colour or another.
For example, a soil with a pH more acidic than that of the plant itself, will cause flowers to sprout the most intense colors in each color spectrum. That is, red for flowers with xanthophylls and violet for flowers with anthocyanins. This example is very representative in the case of hydrangeas, whose colours are strongly influenced by the acidity of the soil.
Birds and bees
Birds and bees are literally responsible for the reproduction of certain flowers. This is because the bright colors help attract these species and other animals to land on the flower. Once there, the insects and animals collect pollen from the flowers and nectar for food and then move on to the next colorful flower to repeat the process. The pollen attaches to their legs and bodies that move from one plant to another, spreading this pollen to other flowers and causing pollination and reproduction occurs.
In this way we know that nothing is casual in the beautiful color of the flowers, is a true battle for survival what has achieved the spectacularity in these living beings that have captivated the imagination of millions of people.
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